Oxfordshire

Current Social Enterprise Landscape in Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire has a very wide range of social enterprises, from large well established businesses, to new start-ups, serving a range of markets including sustainability and recycling, homelessness, health and disability issues.

Key Objectives

To create a map of all social enterprises in Oxfordshire and establish a thriving network of social enterprises by promoting links between the many existing networks supporting local social enterprise initiatives.

To ensure that social enterprises have access to resources and support to help them grow.

To build a culture of social innovation and encourage social investment and growth and to promote the integration of social enterprise into the county’s economy.

Social Enterprise Town Drive- September 2014

Oxfordshire, which is home to the Prime Minister’s constituency, Witney, hosted a series of events in September 2014 as a part of a county-wide town drive to raise awareness of social enterprises amoungst consumers, business and the local council.

Rt. Hon. Prime Minister MP, David Cameron, said:

“It’s fantastic that Oxfordshire is the first county to become a Social Enterprise Place – a beacon of social enterprise activity. Social enterprises trade to tackle some of the greatest challenges we face, from unemployment to food waste. It is a great way to raise awareness of the vital and growing role social enterprises play in our economy and local communities in Oxfordshire and across the country.”

Key Events and Activities

Wednesday 10 September - launch of Oxfordshire Social Entrepreneurship Partnership at Said Business School

Thursday 11 September- social enterprise stall at Banbury Market

Saturday 13 September (also nationwide Social Saturday) - social enterprise stand at East Oxfordshire Market (Cowley Market) and at Banbury Market

Aspire Oxford will be partnered with Spires Rotary to put on a pop-up high tea event at the Oxford Castle Quarter in central Oxford, next to The Beach

Tuesday 17 September - Oxfordshire County Council Social Enterprise Roundtable

Join us on the last Friday of the month for a day of co-working and an evening of drinks with our like minded community of social entrepreneurs. Whether you are interested in becoming a member, or just want to come in for the day, Thank God It's Social (or #TGIS for short) is a great opportunity to see the Impact Hub King's Cross community in action.

The 2017 State of Social Enterprise Report, supported by Santander, is the largest, most representative survey of social enterprises in the UK. It shows a commercially resilient sector outperforming mainstream SMEs when it comes to turnover growth, innovation, business optimism, start-up rates, diversity in leadership and more. It points towards the Future of Business.

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WE'RE THE NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP BODY FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Our members aren't just social enterprises. They also include private businesses, charities and public sector organisations who support our vision of a world where social enterprise is the usual way of doing business.

Social enterprises are businesses which a set up to change the world. Like traditional businesses they aim to make a profit but it’s what they do with their profits that sets them apart – reinvesting or donating it to create positive social change. Social enterprises exist in nearly every sector from consumer goods to healthcare, community energy to creative agencies, restaurants to facilities management. Well known examples include The Big Issue, Divine Chocolate and the Eden Project.